Idea 2: engage accrediting bodies to have them include global competencies in their rubrics

The theory is that if "international" is a box that institutions have to check, or a question that they have to address, as they seek accreditation, then it will naturally get the attention of senior level administrators and faculty. With this attention, curricular changes, resource allocation, and measurable international experiences—including U.S. study abroad—will follow.

Conduct research that includes identifying bodies that have already added international standards and the impact that they have had.

Initiate dialogue with accrediting bodies that could lead to discussions on the potential for incorporating international standards in accrediting documentation. This process could possibly be led by the presidential associations, such as the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

Publish a report on the research, as well as a comprehensive listing of what various accrediting bodies say about internationalization and/or study abroad.

Replicate IIE’s Think Tank workshop on campuses and in local communities across the nation to involve administrators, faculty, alumni, students, study abroad, guidance counselors and local businesses/employers.

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This blog entry summarizes Idea 2 of 11 “Big Ideas” brainstormed during IIE's Generation Study Abroad Think Tank event in March 2014. They are compiled in the IIE Green Paper, “What will it take to Double Study Abroad?”